Herkimer Co. Legislature adopts HCCC budget

A $24 million budget for Herkimer County Community College was approved during Wednesday’s meeting of the Herkimer County Legislature.

The $24,026,536 budget plan for 2013 - 2014 includes a contribution of $1,630,612 from the county, the same amount the county contributed for the 2012 - 2013 budget, according to Peter Manno, chairman of the education committee.

By Donna Thompson

The Telegram

By Donna Thompson

Posted Jul. 6, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 6, 2013 at 6:00 AM

By Donna Thompson

Posted Jul. 6, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 6, 2013 at 6:00 AM

Herkimer, N.Y.

A $24 million budget for Herkimer County Community College was approved during Wednesday’s meeting of the Herkimer County Legislature.

The $24,026,536 budget plan for 2013 - 2014 includes a contribution of $1,630,612 from the county, the same amount the county contributed for the 2012 - 2013 budget, according to Peter Manno, chairman of the education committee.

Action on the budget came after a public hearing Wednesday afternoon at which no members of the public spoke.

The budget summary projects a decrease in total enrollment from 2,874 for 2012 - 2013 to 2,510, for 2013 - 2014, down 12.7 percent. State aid shows an increase of 1.5 percent, up $104,321, for a total of $7,094,280.

The Legislature also approved an amendment to its June 12 resolution awarding contracts for the renovation of the Robert McLaughlin College Center, Cafeteria and Alumni Hall Project at the college. The heating, ventilating and air-conditioning contract total bid of $381,000 includes $143,000 for Alternate 4-03 and $23,000 for Alternate 5-03.

Country Manor

The Legislature approved a resolution to extend the contract with Advanced Healthcare Management for the sale of Country Manor. The contract the county had entered into last year with Advanced Healthcare stated the county would have the right to terminate the agreement if the closing had not taken place by June 1, 2013. The attorney for Advanced Healthcare Management contacted the county by letter to request an extension until Sept. 30 in the hope the purchaser would have the necessary approvals from the New York State Department of Health and any issues regarding the Civil Service Employees Association would be resolved.

Legislator Helen Rose stated the county should not grant the extension and said not granting it would not preclude the sale from going forward. She expressed doubts the approvals would be granted. “It’s costing us plenty,” she said, adding the cost is even greater now that additional residents are not being admitted and the census has dropped. “I cannot support this,” she said. The resolution passed with Rose and Legislator Gary Hartman voting no.